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Public safety personnel have set up a smashed car and victim near the entrance of Wahconah Regional High School to remind students of the danger of drunken driving.

Dalton Police Department Reminds Teens to Drive Safe

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Police and Fire Departments set up a mock staged accident on the lawn of Wahconah Regional High School on Wednesday morning to remind students to celebrate safely and the dangers of impaired driving. 
 
The goal of the staging was to make the high schoolers think about the consequences of driving while impaired. The mock car was provided by Sayers' Auto Wrecking of Lanesborough. 
 
"They never think it'll happen to them until it happens to them. So, sometimes just putting it out there ahead of the season with graduation, and parties, and prom," Police Chief Deanna Strout said. 
 
With graduation and prom season upon us there is no doubt that there is cause for celebration but it is important to remember to celebrate safely.
 
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people in the United States die every day in drunken-driving crashes. 
 
"Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens, and about a quarter of fatal crashes involve an underage drinking driver," NHTSA said. 
 
Responsible Behavior According to NHTSA: 
 
  • If you are drinking, do not drive.
  • If you choose to drink, plan a safe ride home before you go to the party, whether you choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver, get a taxi, or call your parents. 
  • If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home. 
  • If you're hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
  • Seat belts are your best defense against impaired drivers so always wear one. 
  • If you see an impaired driver, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone's life.

Tags: Wahconah,   

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Pittsfield Looks to Update Zoning for ADUs

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Accessory dwelling units will be by-right in early 2025 and the city wants to be prepared.

On Tuesday, the Community Development Board voted to become the petitioner for amendments to the City Code that reflect the new ADU legislation. City Planner Kevin Rayner has crafted a draft ordinance that the board will dig into before it goes to the City Council.

As a part of the $4.1 billion Affordable Homes Act signed into law over the summer, ADUs up to 900 square feet can be built by right in single-family zoning districts.

"This legislation will go into effect February 2, 2025, so we're trying to get our ordinance to accommodate ADUs by that point," Rayner said.

"Our ordinance wasn't prohibitive against accessory dwelling units, but we do need to up our dimensional requirements to kind of accommodate for them as they are, sort of like an accessory structure, in a way but they have some different requirements because they are being used as a dwelling."

The city plans to allow ADUs in a one- to two-family residential use, allowing for duplexes that meet other requirements to have one.

Most of the amendments will take place in Article 23 Section 9.101, which outlines restrictions for accessory buildings.  

"They're mostly dimensional. We're going to make it so that maybe you can't take up more than 20 percent of the lot coverage," Rayner said.

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